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Welcome back!

Valley Jazz Festival returns to the streets, cafes, bars and concert stages of Fortitude Valley and surrounds. Our program of events is growing from year to year and we welcome some new venues into the fold as we expand all the way down Brunswick St. This year we are proud to offer more concert settings then ever before as well as more gigs on the street. The line up of talent from Queensland and interstate has come together in a spectacular program of events.
This year we’ve commissioned four jazz composers to write works that celebrate the 150th anniversary of Queensland - the VJF’s first commissions and world premiere performances. The Valley Jazz Festival wouldn’t happen without the extraordinary talent and creativity of the musicians alongside the generous support of the Brisbane City Council, Queensland Government, Australian Government and all of the venues and companies that contribute their time, efforts and services.

Enjoy live music responsibly – without moderation!

Andrew Shaw

Artistic Director

Mark Isaacs Resurgence Band 'Tell it Like It Is' CD Launch

Mark Isaacs is one of Australia’s most distinguished musicians in jazz and classical music. He has toured the world and collaborated with some of the most famous names in international jazz. Following tours in Asia and around Australia in 2007/08 the 5-piece Resurgence Band appears as part of a national tour in May to celebrate the release of their new CD Tell It Like It Is by the ABC.
Saturday 16 May 7:30 - 9:00  Read More...

Friday night Jazz Special

Featuring WAY OUT WEST (Melbourne), Peter Knight’s highly acclaimed world-jazz group with a unique and alluring sound, which blends Vietnamese and African influences with jazz, followed by a high-energy jazz experience with the Toby Wren Quartet featuring the amazing Jamie Oehlers on tenor saxophone.
Friday 15 May  7:30 - 9:50  More...

Double Latin Extravaganza featuring Latin Vibe + The View From Madeleine's Couch CD LAUNCH

Latin Vibe and The View From Madeleine's Couch will perform in this unique double bill, presenting an energetic evening featuring an array of styles from Afro-Cuban grooves to a unique OzBrazilian fusion. In celebration of TVFMC CD Launch, guests will be treated to a surprise performance of the rarely heard pairing of vibes and marimba, as the two mallet men of each band join forces to create mallet mayhem.
Thursday 14 May  7:00 - 9:30  More...

Q150 COMPOSERS WORLD PREMIERE


This event features the world premiere performance of a new work commissioned by Jazz Queensland for the Q150 celebration. The Abbreviations Orchestra will perform the compositions and arrangements of Andrew Garton showcasing some of Brisbane's finest emerging jazz musicians. Laura Kahle and Rafael Karlen will premiere new works, brimming with rich harmonic textures and stunning melodic inventions performed by the West End Composers Collective.
Saturday 16 May  2:00 - 4:00  More...

Turbine Jazz Launch From Sat 16 May 09


Jazz Qld unveils an innovative sector stimulus project that will curate a series of high quality live music programs including Turbine Jazz – a series of free public concerts every 3rd Saturday of the month at Brisbane Powerhouse.
More...

Opening night - Elixir

Headlining the 2009 Valley Jazz Festival, Elixir features the inimitable Katie Noonan, master guitarist Stephen Magnusson and superb tenor saxophonist Zac Hurren. Elixir emanates music that feels free and pure capturing the heart and mind through their joyful inventiveness and purity of sound.
Tuesday 12 May 6:00 - 6:45 More...

Featuring multi award winning Julien Wilson Trio

Saxophonist and composer Julien Wilson has been a distinctive voice on the Australian jazz scene for the last decade. He has been awarded Australia's two most prestigious jazz prizes, the National Jazz Award and the Freedman Fellowship for Jazz, and has contributed to many recordings with Australia's leading jazz groups including The Australian Art Orchestra and Ishish. 
Wednesday 13 May 7:30 - 10:10 More..

Closing Night Grand Finale - Ten Part Invention + The Carnatic Jazz Experiment

The Valley Jazz Festival is pleased to present a special double bill, featuring Australia’s most innovative and exciting contemporary jazz ensemble Ten Part Invention whos members constitute a substantial part of Australian modern jazz history, led by Australian jazz icon John Pochée. The Closing night event will also feature the world premiere performance of Toby Wrens' Carnatic Jazz Experiment, commissioned by Jazz Queensland as part of the the Q150 celebrations.
Sunday 17 May 7:00 - 9:15 More...

FESTIVAL COCKTAIL PARTY Macklin - Newcomb Duo + Melissa Western

The official Valley Jazz Festival 2009 Cocktail Party, will feature the innovative sounds of the Hannah Macklin & Steve Newcomb Duo, followed by the mischievous minx Melissa Western, performning her sultry jazz-cabaret chanteuse style with band members Tnee Dyer, Jeremy O'Conner  and Rich Seymour. Bookings Recommended!
Wednesday 13 May  8:00 - 10:25  More...

612 ABC Brisbane - Valley Jazz Festival Vocalist Award 2009

The 612 ABC Brisbane - Valley Jazz Festival Vocalist Award Winner will be announced on 612 ABC Brisbane at the award ceremony presented by Vince Jones Patron, on Tuesday 12th May 2009 6pm at the Brisbane Powerhouse Turbine Platform as part of the Valley Jazz Festival 2009. 
Tuesday 12 May 6:00 - 6:45  More..

Festival After Party with The Glyn MacDonald Trio

Join Jazz Queensland to celebrate the closing of the Valley Jazz Festival 2009 at the official festival after party featuring great Australian jazz musicians Glyn MacDonald, Pete Jeavons and Michael Perkins. From classical through to latin, and coupled with a knack for infectious toe-tappin’ swing, their collective works rest comfortably on a bed of groove-oriented originality.
Sunday 17 May  9:30 - 11:30  More...

Festival Events